Staff photo by Cindy HepnerThe section of Commerce Street between Laurel and Pearl streets was closed down on Thursday evening due to a suspicious package found on the sidewalk.

BRIDGETON — Police closed off a section of East Commerce Street Thursday shortly before 6:30 p.m. due to a report of a suspicious package.

However, after three hours, and an inspection under the eyes of the Atlantic City Police Bomb Squad, it was discovered that the box contained nothing but trash.

“It was nothing — a windshield wiper and, for lack of a better word, trash,” said Bridgeton Police Sgt. Mike Speranza. “But in this day and age, we don’t take chances with this sort of thing.”

A one-block section of the street between Laurel and Pearl streets was blocked off with yellow emergency tape shortly after the package, covered in wrapping paper, was reported.

A police officer at the scene instructed an employee of the Fu Leen Meng Chinese restaurant to go back inside the restaurant. He similarly told several employees of The News it would be advisable to return inside the building.

Police also evacuated Big John’s Pizza, and employees, displaced to the sidewalk, lamented the loss of business for the evening.

At least four police cars were present blocking off both ends of the street and Engine 701 from the Bridgeton Fire Department was also on the scene.

In addition to the Atlantic City bomb squad, a bomb-sniffing dog from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department was used.

Shortly after 7:30 p.m. a Bridgeton Fire Department ambulance pulled up to the scene on Pearl Street.

Detective Lt. Michael Gaimari said shortly before 8 p.m. stated an investigation would be forthcoming.

Staff photo by Cathy CramerAn Atlantic City Bomb Squad official X-rays a suspicious package found on Commerce Street Thursday night.

“I wasn’t in town, but I’m heading back in now. All I know is that there is a suspicious package and they're taking precautions, and we're going to do a thorough investigation into how the box got there," he said at the time, before the bomb squad had reported to the scene.

The Atlantic City Bomb Squad arrived at Pearl and Commerce streets at approximately 8:20 p.m. A Bomb Squad official dressed in a black protective suit was observed inspecting the package with equipment, leaving the package, then returning at approximately 9:10 p.m. to handle the package.

Speranza stated the official took X-ray pictures of the package, and determined it non-hazardous.

The Bomb Squad official then opened the package and shook out the contents. Officials declared the situation under control at 9:16 p.m.